…reaching forth unto those things which are before. Phil.3:13

I lived many years regretting my past sins and failures. As long as I dwelt in the past, it kept me from moving forward. What’s more, Satan knows the past can hinder believers so he uses it against us as a tactic to hold us back from serving God. Therefore, I am thankful for Phillippians chapter 3 which brings this to light and instructs us on how to live out our callings.

Apprehend

Paul wrote that he wanted to apprehend, or grasp with understanding, one thing. He wanted to forget things that were behind him and reach forth to things that were before him.

Forget

The Apostle Paul had an evil past. He persecuted and killed Christians, one being Stephen. Paul must have experienced great regret over Stephen’s stoning and the death of many others. Once he became a born-again believer, Paul knew he could not dwell on his past. He was forgiven, moreover, he had a high calling to fulfill.

Reach Forth

To reach forth is to imply a continual journey forward in time, place, or order. Paul realized that his journey would require great work in order to accomplish God’s calling. In fact, dwelling on the past would not be profitable to writing scripture, missionary journeys, witnessing, proclaiming truth, and persecution. Furthermore, reaching requires action therefore Paul had to be spiritually, mentally, and physically willing to move forward no matter the obstacles.

Press Toward 

Pressing toward something implies opposition. Therefore it is necessary to constantly push forward. Day after day Paul lived with surrender and persistence. He moved toward the ministry goals that God had given him. Due to his commitment, the gospel spread and we have much of the New Testament to teach us how to live out our profession of faith.

High Callings

The whole purpose of forgetting our past, reaching forth, and pressing toward our call in Christ is that we might be found in Him and know Him, like Paul. When God gives us clear direction we then move toward that goal for His glory. Indeed, God’s will for our lives can be accomplished by obeying the points made in Philippians chapter 3. All of our yesterdays are gone. We are now entering 2022, so let’s move forward, press toward our high callings, and leave our past behind.

*Count all things lost to win Christ

*Be found in Christ and His righteousness

*Know Christ through His power and sufferings

*Be apprehended of Christ

*Forget the past

*Reach forth

*Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling

WORDS OF TRUTH 

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Tim. 1:12 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil. 4:13

But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.  2 Cor. 10:13